Page 16 of Love Me

“Enough.” At Kaden’s rough tone, they all still.

Grandmother’s bleary eyes have stayed on us the entire time, observing what remains of our love. Nothing but betrayal. Treason ruined our love, turning it from a magnificent building into rubble.

She indulges their curiosity because right after dessert, she says, “Celine, you may tell them about your stay abroad.”

They shoot questions. I don’t miss that Kaden doesn’t ask; instead, he is on his damn phone. What could be more important than this?

“How was it at Preston?” Bailey asks.

“Intense. The school has a tough learning program, but there were a few recreational activities. And once in a while, I could visit London, which was the highlight of my stay abroad.”

“Did you make friends?” Abigail asks.

“Yes, actually. Mia… and Hunter.” Kaden’s fingers freeze over the keyboard. I didn’t do it to get a reaction from him but to gain her interest. Yes, sure.

“Hunter?”

“Hunter Lockwood. His father founded the school.” Actually, it’s Hunter Prescott, the heir of the sixth family, but we’ll keep that little secret for now. Who knew when Grandmother sent me away, she would send me straight to the man who plots her downfall.

Her eyes shine with the possibility of connections. “Lockwood… Yes. They’ve done very well for themselves in England. They’re well respected and are quite influential. Are you close with the Lockwoods?” she asks.

I nod. “Very.” Silence descends like the seconds after thunder, the ripples still echoing in your ears. “Hunter and his twin sister, Mia, have been accepted to study at Eagleton College. They’ll be staying on campus.”

Grandmother hums thoughtfully. “I’d like to meet them soon.”

“Of course, Grandmother.”

“But for now, I am tired. I believe it is time to retire.” With that, she waves us away. They all stand and go to kiss her hand. When it’s my turn, she even pats my hand. “You’ve done well while you were away, Celine.”

I curtsy, leaving. When I am outside, the wind allows me to let my frantic breaths out.

Kaden leans on his black BMW sports car, his arms crossed. I feel his gaze on me, unnerving, undressing, too much. Navy blue is his color. It makes him appear lethal in his beauty. Blake speeds away, with Bailey next and then Abigail.

I gulp as he gets in the car, leaving me breathless, leaving me again.

The butler gives me a set of keys, and a Mercedes coupe’s lights flash when I press the remote. It doesn’t go unnoticed that I didn’t get to choose my car, but it’s black like all the others.

I slip into the leather seat and drive to my childhood home.

Letting myself in, I remove my shoes, groaning and massaging my feet, then stop, sensing someone else in the room.

Kaden steps out of the shadows and prowls toward me. My every sense heightens, but I can’t react. He keeps me prisoner with his gaze. Those blue eyes have been impossible to say no to. He cages me between his chest and wall, his palms flat on each side of my head.

“You shouldn’t have fucking come back.”

She’s back. I have spent two years in hell, missing her, drifting away from my soul, and being cut off from my life’s energy. I tried to protect her from this shithole. I never wanted the purest part of my life to be touched by the darkness. Yet here she is.

That old hag tests me again and again. I sacrificed myself for Celine, and she looks at me as if I am nothing to her.

Heat sets my blood on fire. She’s the match and gasoline in one, and I am a forest burned to a crisp––barren and turned into ash.

I thought I had hallucinated at dinner that missing her had conjured her physically.

She’s beautiful. Those dark blue eyes, the door to my piece of the night sky, peer into mine with sheer disdain.

She pushes me away, and I stumble back. Weak on my feet. Weak in my heart. Weak in my temptation––it’s impossible to purge my weakness out of me again. Celine is more than that. She’s light, and I have been drowning in pitch blackness––trapped in an unforgiven cycle of torture with my salvation so out of reach.

“Why are you here?” I demand.

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